Improvement in self-propelling sleighs



CHARLESH. HUDSON! Improvement in Self-P-ropelling Sleigh.

N0. "6,191. Patented June20, 187 1.

UNITED STATES PATENT QFFIGE.

CHARLES H. HUDSON, OF NEW YORK, n. Y.

IMPROVEMENT IN SELF-PROPELLING SLEIGHS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 116,191, dated J une 20, 1871; antedated June 7, 1871.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHARLES H. HUDSON, of the city, county,-and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Self-Propelling Sleigh, of which the following is a specification My invention consists of certain devices applied to and combined with a sled or sleigh of ordinary form and construction, whereby the rider may, by appropriate motions of the body, propel or force the sleigh ahead.

In the accompanying drawing, which represents a sleigh embodying my invention, Figure 1 is a plan, and Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof. Figs. 3 and 4 represent the side and end of a devicefor guiding and controlling the motion of the pushers or pawls by which the sleigh is driven forward.

A is the bottom. of the sleigh, which may, if preferred, be made in the form of a box. To this bottom are attached, in the usual manner and form, the runners B B. A seat, G, is secured to two rods, a a, which are pivoted to the bottom A at the points I) b, the seat being supported on two spiral springs, D D. To the 1 under side of the seat at c is secured or pivoted the pushing-bar or pawl d. This pawl is pointed at its lower end and rests on the ice, passing through a slot in the bottom A of sufficient length to allow it to move forward and backward freely. The rider, sitting upon the seat, depresses it, thereby forcibly thrusting the pointed end d of the pawl 01 against the ice, which moves the sleigh forward. By alternately throwing a part of his weight upon his feet, which rest on the bottom A, and then upon the seat 0 in rapid succession, the sleigh is moved forward at considerable speed. Two or more pawls, d, may be used, and they may be of diiferent lengths; and a spring may be attached to them to hold them down upon the ice. Through the front part of the bottom A an upright rod, E, is passed, resting or turning in bearings in the brackets e and f, which are bolted to the bottom A. The bottom of this rod is furnished with a shoe or runner, 9, similar to a skate-blade, which bears upon the ice and serves to guide the sleigh, when operated, by means of the handle h at the top of the rod E, which handle is grasped by the rider. Figs. 3 and 4 represent a modified form of the pawls d, in which they are guided'by the slots 6 and k in the bracket F, the pins or rods 1 passing through the slots z and k for that purpose, and the brackets being secured to the under side of the bottom A. The pins or rods 1 may, if desired, beinserted in or secured to the pawls d separately, so as to allow the pawls to move independently. The pawls are secured to the under side of the seat 0 by a hinge or pivot joint, the same as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Having thus fully described my invention, I claim- I 1. The combination, with a sleigh, of the vibratin g seat 0 and pawl d, substantially as and for the purpose hereinabove set forth.

2. The combination, with a sleigh having the vibrating seat 0 and the pawl d applied thereto, of the guiding-runner g, substantially as specified.

3. The combination, with a sleigh having the vibrating seat 0 and pawl d attached thereto, of the pins 1 secured to said pawls and the slotted guides F secured to the sleigh, substantially as set" forth.

CHAS. H. HUDSON.

Witnesses:

H. JAMES WESTON. S. M. R001. 

